New Starters 2023

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of you who will be joining our wonderful school this September.

We have a busy induction period organised to give all of the children and parents the best possible introduction to life here at Bemerton St John. 

Parent Information Evening - Thursday 8th June

Thank you to all of you who attended the information evening. It was lovely to see so many of you and we hope that you found the information shared useful and reassuring.

If you were unable to attend the evening or would like to remind yourself of anything that was discussed, you will find the presentation below.

Thank you to all of you who have signed up to the Stay and Play sessions and for Home Visits. If you haven't yet done so, please take a look at the dates below and contact us at the office to book a slot.

Stay and Play sessions 1.30-2.30pm in the Reception classroom

Wednesday 14th, 21st and 28th June and 5th July

Spaces are limited to 15 for each of the sessions. Your child will join us to begin to get to know the environment and to get to know Mrs Ford and Mrs Hill. Parents do not stay for these sessions.

Spurgeons Family afternoon - 1.30pm - 2.30pm Thursday 13th July at St John's Place

This is a fun session for you and your child to attend. It is also a chance to meet other parents to arrange possible get togethers over the summer. More details can be found in the starter pack.

School Readiness

We understand that, as parents and carers, you will probably be both excited and slightly apprehensive about your child starting school. In order to support you and your child and make the most of the next 3 months in preparing for September we have added some information from early years experts.

The first is a link to a free online course. It contains a wealth of information and you can complete it in your own time. Each video clip is no longer than 3 minutes and there are lots of free downloads containing more information and suggestions for games and books and activities for you to be sharing with your child now.

Click on the link below to enrol for free now.

Steps to School (primarysteps.co.uk) 

The second is from childcare expert, Penny Tassoni, who explains some simple ways how you can help your child be "school ready".  Click below to watch. If you find the video useful and would like some more tips and advice you can visit the website by clicking here. Following the video is an 'at-a-glance' poster with further steps to prepare your child for starting school and for once they are at school. These skills need to be continually practised and revisited even once at school.

Please find  some frequently asked questions in the FAQ section below. If you have any other questions that haven't yet been answered please email us at admin@bemerton-st-john.wilts.sch.uk or phone us on 01722 322848.  

FAQs 

Here are some questions that parents have previously asked. If you have any other questions please contact us.

Q. Can my child come to breakfast / afterschool club?

A. Yes. The clubs are popular so it's important to book and pay for your places in advance to avoid disappointment. You will receive a booking form and parent/carer agreements along with other forms at the parent information evening, but if you would like a copy in advance, please email  admin@bemerton-st-john.wilts.sch.uk.

Breakfast club currently costs £3 per child per session, and Afterschool Club costs £3 until 4.15 or £5 until 5.15pm. The charges are purely to cover our costs; we do not run the clubs for profit.  

Q. How do I order school lunch for my child?

A. You don't need to book meals in advance; when the children arrive at school each morning they can choose from the menu for that day. Children can, of course, still bring a packed lunch from home if they prefer, and you are free to mix and match school lunches and packed lunches as you wish to.

Currently, school lunches are free for all children in Reception Class and in Years 1 and 2. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child has any food allergies or other special dietary requirements.

Q. Where can I buy school uniform?

A. Kids Klobber on Endless Street has all of our badged uniform (polo shirts, sweatshirts, cardigans, PE hoodies and PE t-shirts) as well as trousers/shorts, skirts/pinafores, summer dresses etc. We know that kitting out your children in new uniform can be expensive, and for that reason we do not insist that you buy badged items. We do ask that you please stick to the correct colours, and ensure everything is plain, with no prints, slogans or large logos. Please see our uniform page for more information.

Q. How do we get the children's new book bags?

A. Our wonderful parent teacher association, FoBS, provides book bags for all our new Reception children. Your child will receive their book bag from us here in school.

Q. What do children need to bring to school each day? 

A. Children will need their book bag, water bottle and packed lunch (if bringing lunch from home) every day, plus a coat or sun hat, depending on the weather. Children will also need Forest School clothes later in the term - see below.

Q. What about PE kits and wellies?

A. Please bring a pair of wellies during the first week to leave at school. We have an outdoor storage area where we can keep them. You may of course take them home for the holidays or for a weekend if needed, but we often go on welly walks at short notice, and we play in the garden every day so it helps if your child's wellies are always here during term time.
Children come to school in their PE kit on the days they have PE. This reduces the amount of things the children need to keep in school and also saves on changing time, especially for the little ones. We will let you know in September what days your child will have PE; it will not be on the first day back!

Q. When will Forest School start?

A. Forest School normally starts in Term 2, that is, after the October half term holiday. There is so much for the children to get used to during Term 1 that we feel it's best to wait a few weeks before we start Forest School. Children will still have plenty of opportunities to be outdoors in our outdoor play area during Term 1.

Q. What do children need for Forest School?

A. We will send you a letter nearer the time, but briefly they will need warm clothes and waterproofs as they will be spending lots of time (up to two hours) outdoors in all kinds of weather. Their clothes will get dirty, so please bear this in mind when you choose their outfit!   

Q. My child has an inhaler. Where should he/she keep it at school?

A. If your child uses an inhaler, we ask you to bring one to keep in school. Please bring it to the School Office on the first day and fill in a short form. It will then be kept securely in our classroom with the correct paperwork so that all the staff who take care of your child know what to do. Inhalers are sent home at the end of each long term so you can check it is still full and in date.